Young, 47, conducted choir for more than two decades at the well-known church. He also taught fourth grade at a Chicago public school.
On Saturday, December 29, more than 2,500 people attended his standing-room-only funeral service, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Some mourners waited outside for over 20 minutes to say goodbye.
Senator Barack Obama, who attends the church, sent a letter of condolence. The letter, along were many others, was read during the service, according to the paper.
Authorities told The Chicago Sun-Times that Christmas presents and jewelry were missing from Young's home.
No arrest has been made in the case. A police investigation is underway and a $1,000 reward is being offered for info leading to an arrest.
Young had grown the choir's membership to more than 100 members. They all attended his funeral-singing one last time for their leader.
No answers yet in deacon's slaying SOUTH SHORE | Deacon's spirit was "infectious"
Last week, Donald Young, was "on fire." He was animated, praise-dancing, and the choir he had directed for two decades responded with a joyful noise. The Dec. 17 performance was typical of Young's "infectious spirit."
"When he directed, it was like the Lord took over," the Rev. Joe Ann Watson, music department administrator at Trinity United Church of Christ on the South Side, said Wednesday.
Young was found shot to death in his apartment early Sunday morning, just hours before he was planning to leave Chicago to spend the holiday with a close friend, a woman who had become like a mother to him, friends said.
Chicago Police were trying to determine what happened inside Young's South Shore apartment.
Young, also a deacon at the church, was found by his roommate in their home in the 2300 block of East 69th Street. The door to the apartment was closed but not locked, police said.
Several items were reported missing from the apartment, but police have not yet determined what led to Young's shooting.
Young was a fourth-grade teacher at Guggenheim Elementary School and was pursuing a master's degree, said Donna Hammond-Miller, a close friend and church deacon.
Young, who had family in Chicago, also found a second one at the church, friends said. He joined the church, at 400 W. 95th St., at age 12.
Michelle Obama reacted to Young's death Wednesday, calling the situation "sad.''
"He was very well-known in the church family,'' Obama, wife of White House hopeful Barack Obama, said from the campaign trail in Iowa.
On Wednesday evening, longtime members of Young's choir shared recollections of his leadership, sense of humor and sense of style. They told how he playfully modeled his African garb.
"He was very particular about his shoes," joked Sandra Bibb. "He said, 'You can praise the Lord all you want, just don't touch these shoes.' "
A wake for Young will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. A funeral service follows at 11 a.m.
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